CUSP - T&D Study Guide (2026/2027 Syllabus)
Core Principles & Compliance
Unit 1: Regulatory Foundations & OSHA Standards
1. What is the primary purpose of 29 CFR 1910.269?
ANSWER ✓ To establish mandatory safety standards for the operation and maintenance
of electric power generation, control, transformation, transmission, and distribution lines
and equipment.
2. Who does the OSHA General Duty Clause (Section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act) apply
to?
ANSWER ✓ It applies to all employers, requiring them to provide a workplace free from
recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm
to employees, even if no specific standard exists for that hazard.
3. Under OSHA, what is the "controlling employer" responsible for on a multi-
employer worksite?
ANSWER ✓ The controlling employer is responsible for ensuring that all other
employers on the site (host, subcontractors) are complying with safety regulations, as
they have general supervisory authority over the worksite.
4. What is the minimum approach distance for a qualified worker to an exposed
energized conductor operating at 72.5 kV?
ANSWER ✓ (Refer to Table R-3) 2 feet 7 inches (or specific distance based on calculated
values).
5. An employer is cited for a violation. What are the four possible classifications of
the violation?
ANSWER ✓ Other-than-Serious, Serious, Willful, and Repeated.
6. What is the "Inches to Feet" rule of thumb for Minimum Approach Distance
(MAD) for voltages below 50kV?
ANSWER ✓ For voltages below 50kV, the MAD is commonly the distance in inches
equivalent to the voltage in kV divided by 10. (e.g., 12kV = approx. 1.2 feet or 14.4
inches).
, 7. When must an employer notify OSHA of a work-related fatality?
ANSWER ✓ Within 8 hours of the employer learning of the fatality.
8. What are the two categories of "Qualified Person" as defined in 1910.269?
ANSWER ✓ (a) One who has received training in and is familiar with the specific work
practices, procedures, and hazards involving the employee's duties. (b) One who has
demonstrated the ability to distinguish exposed live parts from other parts and can
determine nominal voltages.
Unit 2: Hazard Identification & Risk Assessment
9. What does the acronym "JHA" or "JSA" stand for and what is its purpose?
ANSWER ✓ Job Hazard Analysis or Job Safety Analysis. Its purpose is to identify
potential hazards associated with each step of a job and establish safe work procedures
to control or eliminate those hazards.
10. List the four main elements of a pre-job briefing.
ANSWER ✓ 1. Job steps/scope of work. 2. Specific hazards associated with each step. 3.
Hazard control measures. 4. Emergency procedures and crew assignments.
11. When is a second pre-job briefing required?
ANSWER ✓ When the job scope changes significantly, when crew members change, or
at the beginning of each new shift.
12. Define "Qualified Person" versus "Competent Person" in the context of safety.
ANSWER ✓ A Qualified Person has specialized knowledge and training to perform
specific tasks (e.g., switching, testing). A Competent Person is capable of identifying
existing and predictable hazards and has authority to take prompt corrective measures
(e.g., a foreman inspecting a trench).
13. What are the three key elements of the "Hierarchy of Controls"?
ANSWER ✓ 1. Elimination/Substitution (physically remove the hazard). 2. Engineering
Controls (isolate people from the hazard). 3. Administrative Controls & PPE (change
how people work and protect them with gear).
14. What is the purpose of an "Arc Flash Risk Assessment"?
ANSWER ✓ To determine the incident energy, arc flash boundary, and required PPE for a
worker exposed to the potential of an electric arc.
15. What is the definition of a "Hazardous Atmosphere" in a confined space?
ANSWER ✓ An atmosphere that may expose employees to the risk of death,
Core Principles & Compliance
Unit 1: Regulatory Foundations & OSHA Standards
1. What is the primary purpose of 29 CFR 1910.269?
ANSWER ✓ To establish mandatory safety standards for the operation and maintenance
of electric power generation, control, transformation, transmission, and distribution lines
and equipment.
2. Who does the OSHA General Duty Clause (Section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act) apply
to?
ANSWER ✓ It applies to all employers, requiring them to provide a workplace free from
recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm
to employees, even if no specific standard exists for that hazard.
3. Under OSHA, what is the "controlling employer" responsible for on a multi-
employer worksite?
ANSWER ✓ The controlling employer is responsible for ensuring that all other
employers on the site (host, subcontractors) are complying with safety regulations, as
they have general supervisory authority over the worksite.
4. What is the minimum approach distance for a qualified worker to an exposed
energized conductor operating at 72.5 kV?
ANSWER ✓ (Refer to Table R-3) 2 feet 7 inches (or specific distance based on calculated
values).
5. An employer is cited for a violation. What are the four possible classifications of
the violation?
ANSWER ✓ Other-than-Serious, Serious, Willful, and Repeated.
6. What is the "Inches to Feet" rule of thumb for Minimum Approach Distance
(MAD) for voltages below 50kV?
ANSWER ✓ For voltages below 50kV, the MAD is commonly the distance in inches
equivalent to the voltage in kV divided by 10. (e.g., 12kV = approx. 1.2 feet or 14.4
inches).
, 7. When must an employer notify OSHA of a work-related fatality?
ANSWER ✓ Within 8 hours of the employer learning of the fatality.
8. What are the two categories of "Qualified Person" as defined in 1910.269?
ANSWER ✓ (a) One who has received training in and is familiar with the specific work
practices, procedures, and hazards involving the employee's duties. (b) One who has
demonstrated the ability to distinguish exposed live parts from other parts and can
determine nominal voltages.
Unit 2: Hazard Identification & Risk Assessment
9. What does the acronym "JHA" or "JSA" stand for and what is its purpose?
ANSWER ✓ Job Hazard Analysis or Job Safety Analysis. Its purpose is to identify
potential hazards associated with each step of a job and establish safe work procedures
to control or eliminate those hazards.
10. List the four main elements of a pre-job briefing.
ANSWER ✓ 1. Job steps/scope of work. 2. Specific hazards associated with each step. 3.
Hazard control measures. 4. Emergency procedures and crew assignments.
11. When is a second pre-job briefing required?
ANSWER ✓ When the job scope changes significantly, when crew members change, or
at the beginning of each new shift.
12. Define "Qualified Person" versus "Competent Person" in the context of safety.
ANSWER ✓ A Qualified Person has specialized knowledge and training to perform
specific tasks (e.g., switching, testing). A Competent Person is capable of identifying
existing and predictable hazards and has authority to take prompt corrective measures
(e.g., a foreman inspecting a trench).
13. What are the three key elements of the "Hierarchy of Controls"?
ANSWER ✓ 1. Elimination/Substitution (physically remove the hazard). 2. Engineering
Controls (isolate people from the hazard). 3. Administrative Controls & PPE (change
how people work and protect them with gear).
14. What is the purpose of an "Arc Flash Risk Assessment"?
ANSWER ✓ To determine the incident energy, arc flash boundary, and required PPE for a
worker exposed to the potential of an electric arc.
15. What is the definition of a "Hazardous Atmosphere" in a confined space?
ANSWER ✓ An atmosphere that may expose employees to the risk of death,
